Apollo Global has initiated a blockbuster deal to simultaneously acquire IGT Plc’s Gaming & Digital business alongside Everi Holdings Inc.
The US private equity fund has submitted a cash offer of $14.25 per share to Everi shareholders to acquire its combined business with IGT’s Digital and Gaming spin-offs.
The offer comes as Everi moves to complete its February transaction to merge its business with IGT’s Global Gaming and PlayDigital units, as dealmakers seek to form a new independently owned IGT separated from its lottery technology business.
Deal terms saw Everi secure $3.7bn and $500m credit facilities from Deutsche Bank and Macquarie Capital to finance its merger with IGT spin-offs.
Announced by Apollo: “Under the terms of the new agreements, the Apollo Funds will acquire IGT Gaming and Everi. Following closing, IGT Gaming and Everi will be privately owned companies that are part of one combined enterprise.”
The PE fund has submitted an all-cash counteroffer which places a value of approximately $6.3bn to acquire the combined business.
Everi shareholders will be rewarded with $14.25 per share in cash, branded as a 56% premium on the NYSE firm’s closing share price on 25 July. Apollo guarantees IGT with $4.05bn of gross cash proceeds for its Global Gaming and PlayDigital units.
The counteroffer is led by Daniel Cohen, Partner at Apollo, who stated, “As an active investor in the gaming and leisure sector for many years, we have long admired both companies and their highly talented teams. We strongly believe in the value proposition of the combination and are confident these complementary gaming platforms will be even better positioned under private ownership to capture the opportunities ahead to grow and create value.”
Apollo’s intervention was backed by Everi President, Randy Taylor, who stated that it preserved “the original agreement’s integrity and strategic rationale while adding significant value for stockholders.”
“Apollo is a respected investment firm with a strong track record in the gaming sector, and they recognise the value of our business and see significant potential in bringing IGT Gaming and Everi together.”
Apollo’s approach is backed by the Grupo De Agostini , as the majority shareholder of IGT Plc, who have committed to a minority investment in the new business upon completion of the deal.
IGT maintains that it will change its business identity and NYSE ticker to represent itself as a standalone provider of global lottery systems.
Backing the deal, Vince Sadusky, IGT PLC CEO, said, “With the Apollo Funds, we have found a partner that recognises the strength of IGT Gaming, the value of our talent, and our position in the industry. After the closing of this transaction, IGT’s shareholders will continue to own one hundred percent of IGT’s Global Lottery business, which will be positioned for long-term success as a pure-play global lottery player with a more focused, compelling business model and optimised capital structure to drive long-term shareholder value.”
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